Synlait provides half year performance update
Synlait Milk Limited · 1028 Heslerton Road, RD13 Rakaia, Canterbury, New Zealand · www.synlait.com
NZX: SML
ASX: SM1
4 February 2026
Synlait provides half year performance update
Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) is providing an update on its financial performance for the six months
ended 31 January 2026 (HY26).
The current financial year will deliver a valuable reset for Synlait, with the sale of the company’s North
Island assets due for completion on 1 April 2026. The sale will substantially strengthen the company’s
financial position, with the proceeds used to significantly reduce debt.
The sale will enable Synlait to centre its core operations on Canterbury, with renewed focus on
delivering continuous operational excellence and customer diversification to support longer-term
profitability, however, it is clear the company’s recovery will take time.
While the manufacturing challenges experienced at Dunsandel have now been largely resolved,
Synlait continues to face related cost and operational impacts. The need to rebuild inventory
across product segments required significant adjustments to Synlait’s manufacturing plans this
dairy season, relative to a normal year. To enable these adjustments, additional raw milk sales
were made during HY26, which weighed heavily on margins and operating costs.
The company’s first half performance has also been impacted by lower relative returns from our
commodities portfolio. In addition, Synlait has taken a conservative approach and not recognised
further deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses beyond those recorded at 31 July 2025.
Synlait has not been impacted by the ARA ingredients associated with recent infant formula
recalls.
Given the above, Synlait is expecting underlying EBITDA of between breakeven to $5 million for
HY26, with a reported EBITDA loss expected of -$28 million to -$33 million
1
. For the same period,
the company is forecasting an underlying net loss after tax of -$33 million to -$38 million with a
reported net loss after tax of between -$77 million and -$82 million
2
.
As noted in Synlait’s FY25 financial statements, an insurance claim has been accepted relating to the
losses Synlait incurred as a result of the manufacturing challenges. While the claim is expected to
recover a portion of these losses, the final amount and timing of reimbursement remain subject to
further assessment and settlement processes. The company will provide further updates in due course.
Synlait has not yet closed its books for the half year, and this preliminary update remains subject to an
audit review process being completed.
1
Synlait’s underlying EBITDA for HY25 was $68.5 million, reported EBITDA for the same period was $63.1 million.
2
Synlait’s underlying NPAT for HY25 was $8.7 million with a reported NPAT of $4.8 million.
Synlait Milk Limited · 1028 Heslerton Road, RD13 Rakaia, Canterbury, New Zealand · www.synlait.com
Synlait is actively engaging with its banking syndicate while working towards the completion of the
North Island asset sale on 1 April 2026.
CEO Richard Wyeth commented: “We are very disappointed with the six-month result and the impact it
has had on the pace of our financial turnaround. However, we have made progress with real momentum
in our operations, a renewed Canterbury-based ELT, and the North Island sale set to fundamentally
strengthen Synlait. Our strategy is being reset, and we are confident it will provide a pathway to return
Synlait to success, although this will take at least 12 months.”
More information will be provided when the company releases its half year result on Monday 23 March
2026.
For more information contact
Jo Scott
Corporate Affairs Manager
E: jo.scott@synlait.com
P: +64 21 883 123
Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.
Other issuers discussed similar conditions around this time
Matched by meaning across NZX announcement text, not keywords — based on our semantic index of announcement bodies.
- ATM — The a2 Milk Company Limited: 1H26 Results and Interim Report2026-02-15
“NZX Code: ATM ASX Code: A2M 16 February 2026 NZX/ASX Market Release 1H26 Interim Results Commentary and Outlook Group financial performance 1,2,3,4 The a2 Milk Company (“the Company”, “a2MC”) announces strong financial and operational results for the 6 months e…”
- ATM — The a2 Milk Company Limited: 2025 Annual Meeting2025-11-19
“Mainstream Ultra Premium Super Premium Premium a2MC English label portfolio a2MC China label portfolio 2 existing registrations at a2 Pokeno and potential to access 3 rd registration subject to regulatory approval Targeting an expanded IMF product portfolio over time a2MC IMF…”